Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Abstract

A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.

1. A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site, the system comprising:
 a single drive force generator; 
 a plurality of penetrating members operatively coupled to said drive force generator, said force generator moving each of said members along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into said tissue site, stopping in said tissue site, and withdrawing out of said tissue site; 
 a plurality of cartridges, wherein each of said cartridges houses one of said penetrating members; 
 a flexible support member carrying said cartridges parallel to each other on its top to define a linear array, said support member being movable and configured to move a penetrating members in one of said cartridges to a launch position to be coupled to said drive force generator; and 
 a penetrating member sensor is positioned to monitor the penetrating member coupled to said drive force generator, the penetrating member sensor configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of the penetrating member through a skin surface and an indication of velocity of a penetrating member. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each cartridge has an exit port, and upon launch each penetrating member exists from the exit port. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  further comprising an analyte detecting member. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of analyte detecting members positioned to receive body fluid. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 1.0 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.75 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.5 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.25 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.1 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analyte detecting member coupled to a sample chamber, the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 1 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analyte detecting member coupled to a sample chamber, the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.75 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analyte detecting member coupled to a sample chamber, the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.5 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analyte detecting member coupled to a sample chamber, the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.25 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analyte detecting member coupled to a sample chamber, the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.1 μL of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seal formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge, the seal being positioned at least one of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each penetrating member each penetrating members is an elongate member without molded attachments. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a penetrating member transport device for moving each of a penetrating member into a position aligned with the single drive force generator. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the penetrating member exit is configured to be positioned against the tissue when the penetrating member contacts the tissue. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support structure for receiving the penetrating members.